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INTERNATIONAL PHENOMENON SHO MADJOZI RELEASES CINEMATIC DIRECTOR’S CUT OF “TORO”
Delivering an impressive cinematic statement, award-winning South African rap disruptor Sho Madjozi just shared the special Director’s Cut of the music video for her latest single “Toro” [feat. DDG]. Watch “Toro (Director’s Cut)” HEREexclusively via Clash Magazine. Listen to “Toro” [feat. DDG] HERE via Epic Records.
The extended version of “Toro” now includes over two minutes of prologue, setting the stage for the action to follow and contextualizing her journey. In the new footage, she and a friend stroll through their neighborhood at night until Sho notices a glowing pendant. In her head, a voice declares, “This is your gift. Look after it.” Her companion notes the power of this artifact as the girls return to Peshy with newfound confidence and charisma to slay in ultimate underground dance-off.
The Director’s Cut adds even more weight and heft to the already knockout visual. Clash praised, “Sho is a true force of nature, someone who has taken the organic street sounds of South Africa to a global audience. A true multi-hyphenate, she crosses over into visual arts and fashion, all while retaining her unique flavour”.
Last month, Sho dropped “Toro” to critical applause. OKAYAFRICA. proclaimed, “Over the years, the rapper has continued to push the envelope and sonically break barriers by experimenting with her flow, cadence, and structure.” Meanwhile, GRUNGECAKE applauded, “Meld the dramatic visuals with a raving Amapiano groove and Sho Madjozi’s half-polished care-free delivery, and you get a perfect jam to start the day. One for the haters.” Not to mention, it has already tallied north of half-a-million cumulative streams and counting.
The track formally introduces the United States to this international force of nature.
About the song, she commented, “‘Toro’ is short for‘Mtoroki’ meaning an ‘escaper’. I’ve escaped bad managers, bad lovers, and sill come out as me. I even defy convention because I say and do what I like. However, this music video is part 1 of this story. The thing around my neck stands for my gift—the thing that has given me my success. The video makes a statement about how isolating fame can be: how friends, manager, etc., have back-stabbed me. By the end of this video, I’m disillusioned with fame and wishing I didn’t have this gift at all because it’s made me lose touch with closest to me and probably even myself.”
Right now, she’s supporting Stromae on tour across North America. This massive arena run kicked off with a two-night stand at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY November 21-22 before three shows at Bell Centre in Montreal Canada November 25-29, stops in major markets, and its conclusion back at Bell Centre on December 14. Check out the full confirmed itinerary below.
Get ready for more from Sho Madjozi in 2023, including her full-length debut for Epic Records!
Sho Madjozi has come a long way from the two-room rondavel she called home as a child in South Africa. Since making her debut in 2017, she quietly emerged as a global force renowned for head-spinning wordplay, ear-perking Xitsonga lyrics, and eye-popping colorful fashion. Powered by bangers like “John Cena” [1.8 million Spotify streams] and “Huku” [1.2 million Spotify streams], she took home “Favorite African Star” at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, “Best New International Artist” at the BET Awards, “Entertainer of the Year” from Forbes, and more. This year, she’s been nominated once again for a BET Award in the category of “Best International Artist.”
She graced the global covers of magazines such as Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Bona. Not to mention, she shared the stage with Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran at the 2019 Global Citizen Festivaland joined forces with Diplo for a much talked-about Super Bowl party performance in the same year. Plus, she met actor and WWE legend John Cena during a viral moment on The Kelly Clarkson Show. In addition to widespread acclaim from Vogue, BBC, OkayAfrica, and more, The New York Times praised how “She pays homage to her heritage while updating it for the moment, cutting across continents and genres.”
Now, she’s on her way to the forefront of popular culture worldwide on her own terms.
So nice, you can’t help but spin it twice. Michal Michal kept his foot on the gas with his latest love-torn offering, “KNOW ME BETTER,” on Dec. 1. Featuring JayD and production from SK THE PLUG, the new single, which is Michal’s second release this month, is yet another head-turning effort that demands more than a first listen. Layered with woozy 808s, fleeting vocals and unbridled personality, ”KNOW ME BETTER” is packed with a barrage of Michal’s raspy flairs – a distinct hallmark of his sound. Continuing to embody his youthful aura, Michal ultimately has his sights set on searching for “the one” with “KNOW ME BETTER,” as JayD’s mesmerizing hook expertly plays into the sample-clad cut. “After all these years that we’ve been together, I thought you would know me better,” it hypnotically drones, Stringing together strong performances all year, following the success of his previous track “DON’T BLAME THE KIDS” and Summer’s End, which is now his top track on Spotify and Apple Music, it’s better to know of Michal Michal before he takes off.
Check it out here!
Isaiah Rashad joins Windy City wordsmith Kembe X for his Hippie Sabotage produced cut “Rolling Stoned.” A thought-provoking masterpiece that cleverly disguises its depth with wordplay and ethereal Alternative Hip-Hop instrumentation, “Rolling Stoned” invites listeners to embark on a journey of hidden meanings and insights. Serving as yet another teaser to the Top Dawg Entertainment affiliate’s forthcoming ‘Sleep Paralysis’ project, it may initially appear as brash rap but the record unfurls into a profound exploration of personal growth, dreams, and self-discovery.
“When we made this song in September 2021 it felt like a reunion and an opportunity to show Hippie Sabotage, I’m not the same person who moved from Chicago to LA and crashed on their couch. It was a chance to demonstrate my newfound confidence in my creative abilities and a willingness to adopt a fresh approach to music. It’s not a reinvention of my artistry, but a shedding of old skin and a dreamy exploration of a new version of myself, deeply connected to my psychedelic discoveries,” shares the Chicago native in a press statement when asked about his “Pole Vaulting” follow-up.
Known for his work with artists such as REASON, Guapdad4000, Jay Rock, and Ab-Soul, Kembe X stands as a beacon of innovation in a musical landscape often mired in conformity. His music, with over 10M+ UGC views on TikTok and 5M+ views on YouTube, has ignited a cultural wave, resonating across platforms. Accumulating a staggering 30M+ Spotify streams, Kembe X’s tracks encapsulate the essence of his artistry.
Beyond mere numbers, Kembe X’s compositions, from the introspective depths of “Voices” and “Cozy Forever” to the bluesy contemplation of “Body Language” and “Anyway,” paint a poignant picture of battling depression, touching hearts and minds. His magnetic stage presence has left an indelible mark, from headlining the Hippie Sabotage Tour in 2016 to sharing the stage in the ScHoolboy Q CrasHtalk Tour in 2019, not to mention legendary performances at Rolling Loud Miami from 2014 to 2017 and Rolling Loud Los Angeles 2017, solidifying his status as a festival favorite.
Stream Kembe X’s “Rolling Stoned” on your DSP of choice via BMR / The Orchard and watch his live performance recap of “Pole Vaulting” at Red Rocks.
In the sonic battleground of Virginia, Mon$ter emerges as a formidable force, poised to disrupt the tranquility with his explosive artistry. The maestro of mayhem, he’s not here to play games; he’s here to make a statement that resonates through the streets and beyond. In his relentless pursuit of sonic supremacy, Mon$ter has strategically enlisted the prowess of BigXThaPlug, a musical heavyweight in his own right, to amplify the impact.
Their collaboration has birthed “I’m Cappin Again,” a track that’s not just a song; it’s a sonic proclamation, a declaration of dominance in a game where only the fearless survive. Mon$ter’s delivery is razor-sharp, each line dripping with the raw authenticity that defines his narrative. The beats hit like seismic waves, reverberating through the concrete jungle of Virginia and beyond, leaving an indelible mark on the musical landscape.
Listen below.
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